Saving Grace

Full of Smiles

Chapter Four

Cali

I've only known Jay for maybe five hours and he already wants to know my life story? Why couldn't he understand that I live and work here? And he wouldn't tell me why he was here either so I was remaining a mystery.

I entered the barn and walked past the horse stalls. I climbed the old wooden ladder and entered the loft I have lived in for six months. It was a long hallway, and the first room to the left was my bedroom. Further down the hall was the bathroom and at the end to right was where all the hay was kept. The bedroom wasn't huge, but it worked. It had a nice sized bed, closet and dresser. But I didn't have much, so there was a lot of extra space.

Living in the barn, it always smelled like horses, but I didn't mind. I sat down on the floral bedspread that covered my bed. Dale said I could change the room however I wanted, but I didn't want to. I loved the rustic, country-ness of it. I started taking off my boots and I looked out the big window next to my bed. Suddenly, my eyes met his. What the hell?

I stood up and walked closer to the window. He did the same. This is just awesome. His bedroom window is right across from mine, but we're separated by about thrity feet. Now I'll have to make sure my curtains are closed at all times.

He opened his window and stuck his head out with a huge smirk on his face. I stayed inside and just crossed my arms over his chest. He waved his hand and mouthed 'hello'. I laughed a little before closing my curtains and getting into bed. I didn't really like him.

I woke up a little after eleven the next morning. I threw on sweatpants and a tshirt before heading up to the house. Preston had already left for town and Dale was probably out in one of the fields feeding the cows.

I started making pancakes and eggs. It was my favorite and Dale made sure that I knew I was always welcome to make or eat anything in the kitchen. Both them had been so welcoming of me and I was so thankful of everything they had done.

I had just finished making my breakfast when I heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs. I took a seat at the island and turned in my chair to see a tired looking Jay walking into the kitchen. He was wearing red pajama pants that were too short on him and a white T-shirt. His T-shirt clung to his biceps that I noticed were huge. He must be really strong and I could only assume he looked even better without a shirt on.

"Why are you up so early?" He asked in a groggy voice. He was squinting his eyes and holding his hand over the sunlight that was coming in through the windows above the sink.

I started laughing a little before I answered.

"It's actually almost noon."

He looked around and then back at me. He gave me a small smile before sitting down at the island. He took a pancake and a plate and began to eat. So we just sat there, eating in silence for a while.

"So what are you doing today?" He asked with a mouthful of food.

I looked up at him and he was looking at me. "I'm meeting that guy with the two new horses."

"Oh yeah. Mind if I help?"

He wanted to help? What did he know about horses? But then again, I knew nothing about him so I wouldn't know.

"Um, sure, I guess..."

He gave me a big smile before picking up his plate and putting it in the sink. He glanced at me one more time before heading back upstairs. He was strange and mysterious. He kind of fascinated me.

I cleaned up from breakfast and headed back to the barn. It was so hot and sticky outside that I decided to take a shower before having to deal with the new horses. I went into my bedroom, grabbed my towel and headed back down the hallway towards the bathroom.

I got out of the shower and checked my phone for the time. 1:50. Shit. I only had ten minutes to get ready. I wrapped a towel around myself, grabbed my clothes in my hand and ran down the hallway. But it had been too late when I heard Jay in front of me yell hey.

I smacked right into him and fall back on my butt.

"Shit!" We both screamed at the same time. My head had smacked right into his hard chest and it killed. I looked up and Jay was on his butt in front of me. I quickly looked down and prayed that the towel had stayed around me. I was relived when I saw the towel still covering my body.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I screamed, trying to comprehend what just happened.

He stood up and grabbed my hand to help me up. I grabbed it while gripping the towel around my body with the other. I stood up and noticed Jay looking at me. And when I say looking, I mean he was checking me out. I instantly blushed and bit my bottom lip. I always did that when I was nervous or embarrassed. And Jay seeing me practically naked, was definitely embarrassing.

"I'm sorry. It's just...um...I came up to...um..."

God he was annoying. I hurried past him and into my room. I shut the door and locked it. I took a deep breath and leaned against it. Well, that was awkward.

"Wait, I have to tell you something."

"You can tell me through the door. I don't need to stand out there in a towel!" I screamed back at him.

"Look I'm sorry. I didn't realize. It's just that guy is here with the horses and I came to get you."

I sighed as I threw on some jeans and a different tshirt. I quickly brushed my hair and put it into a messy bun. I opened the door and he was still standing outside. Once he saw me, he smiled. He was so weird. Yet extremely sexy.

"Okay. Let's go get the horses," I said as I walked by him, without making eye contact. I was still too embarrassed to look at him.